Blog

Barefoot Wedded Bliss gives you an unforgettable wedding experience. Imagine having the backdrop of your most special day be the tranquil ocean, waves crashing, warm breeze and sand in your toes as you say “I Do.”

We provide all-inclusive ceremony, elopement and vow renewal services along the scenic coast of the Grand Strand!

Knowing how to organize transportation for your wedding is key to how the event plays out. A lot of couples are intimidated by the process! After all, how do you know what will work best for your own unique wedding situation? Here are four of the most common vehicles used for Myrtle Beach wedding transportation and a bit of information about their specific benefits. After reading this guide you should be a lot closer to knowing exactly which route to take with your wedding transportation in Myrtle Beach!

Limousines

Limousines have always been the go-to for wedding transportation. It has only been within the past five or ten years that they've shared center stage with party buses. Limos in Myrtle Beach are perfectly elegant and fit in with the wedding vision of those who want to keep things looking as classy as possible. Limousines have come a long way since the 70's and 80's, as there are a lot of different styles of limo to choose from in this day and age. Here's detailed information on how to rent a limo in Myrtle Beach.

Party Buses

Party buses have really risen in popularity, becoming the most commonly reserved vehicle for couples and their wedding party. It makes complete sense, as party buses allow you to stand and move around, and often have more features than other vehicles. This is the best choice for you if you're looking for the most convenient way to get your wedding party around to the different wedding day destinations.

Shuttles

Are you going to have many out of town guests at your wedding? Perhaps your ceremony or reception is in a spot that is hard to get to. Either one of these situations calls for a shuttle service for your guests! It really is the most courteous thing to do when people have put aside many resources to attend your wedding, particularly if it required travel on their part. You will have the added peace of knowing your guests got home safely.

Exotic Cars

Exotic cars can be hard to find and reserve because they are often booked well in advance, but they give a certain look that no other vehicle does. They are perfect for extravagant exit photographs! They are usually only big enough to fit two or three people at maximum, but they offer a unique transportation experience for your wedding.

If your wedding budget has room for lighting, you're in for a great experience. Not all weddings need lighting, but the right lights lend warmth, elegance and drama to a room. Here are some points to ponder, as you consider lighting your party room.

Modern uplights can match your décor perfectly. With the magic of LED uplighting and DMX controls, your lights can be fine-tuned to millions of color variations, including the colors you've chosen.

A lifeless room typically means a lifeless party. But animated uplighting, with color transitions, chases and strobes, can ignite the entire room, and drive your guests to the dance floor for non-stop dancing.

Venue uplighting vs. DJ uplighting. If your wedding venue offers uplights, they typically are set to one of a handful of pre-programmed colors; and that's how they stay -- all night -- even when your guests dance. Static, non-moving light can actually drain the energy from your dance floor. A lighting company can set up single-color lights, or even program them for a single pattern when dancing starts. But a DJ who provides his own uplighting can actually run the lighting effects, so they change colors and patterns, and change to match the speed and energy of each new song. It's worth the extra money to let your DJ provide your lighting.

Uplighting for outdoor events. If you're having an outdoor wedding with dinner and dancing in a plain white tent, you desperately need uplighting! There is nothing more sterile than a pure white room -- an empty slate. Adding lighting changes everything! Suddenly, your space is alive with color; and most uplights can be aimed toward the middle of the ceiling, to make the entire space come to life.

Your name in lights. Adding monogram lighting with your names or initials can really put your individual stamp on your special day. Today's monograms can be cut from metal plates with a virtually infinite combination of artwork, fonts and messages. For a little more money, a special glass monogram can include a picture of the two of you; and it can be colored to match your room. Your monogram light can be projected onto a wall, or onto your dance floor.

When you DON'T need lighting. If you're having a daytime wedding outdoors, or in a room surrounded by windows, you don't need lighting. If you're having a summer wedding with a 9pm sunset, and your wedding reception ends at 10pm, you won't get much bang for your buck from a light show. If your wedding is held at the top of a skyscraper like the John Hancock Center or the Sears/Willis Tower, you already have the world's best light show outside your windows. If your party room has fluorescent lighting that's either on or off, and can't be dimmed, you're out of luck. The room lights will have to stay on all night, and a light show would be a waste of money. Finally, if your party room has dark walls, you won't get the full benefit of a light show; lighting is better with white or light-colored walls.

Your wedding guests' most lasting memories of your reception will be their first impression upon entering your dining room, and the fun they had on the dance floor. Elegant uplighting makes a great first impression, and turns your dance floor into a virtual explosion of color, sound and motion. You'll know it was worth the money when all of your guests rave to you about what a great time they had.

Being the center of attention on the day means that everyone is looking at you, but you cannot possibly be looking at everyone else. A videographer can capture the emotions and the body language of your guests at pivotal moments of your ceremony and yes, even the shenanigans that your guests may get up to during the reception. You will also see things like your bridesmaids and flower girls walking down the aisle, something you would have been hidden away for, and people tearing it up on the dancefloor while you are sitting in the corner talking to Uncle Bob and Aunty Stacey who have flown over from out of state.

Every detail from the shimmering tear trickling down your fiance’s face and the sharp intake of breath as they see you for the first time at the end of the aisle, to the musical sound of your laughter as your new spouse smooshes cake into your face. It will all be there.

Videography has long evolved from camcorder status to impressive cinematography. Professionals are dedicated to capturing every element of your wedding day to give you a way to relive one of the happiest days of your life, for the rest of your life.

We start from scratch with every video to ensure that you receive a fully custom and unique record of your wedding daySimply select the footage most important to you and our talented video editors will custom edit to your vision.

People often ask: is a DJ an artist? This is a difficult question. Sure, there is a certain skill involved in DJ'ing, but does that make the DJ an artist? There is skill involved in driving a car but no-one would call driving an art-form. Is the same true of DJ'ing?

I believe that DJ'ing is a form of art. The purpose of this short piece is to explain my reasons for holding this belief. My goal is to convince the skeptics that DJs should be put into a similar category with other artists. Musicians, composers, painters, and photographers are all artists that have learned a skill. They use their skill to bring about emotion in other people. They do this by either creating something new, or by capturing a unique scene or moment in time, and then making the result available to an audience. DJs are the same. They use their skill to create mixsets, and in doing so they are capturing something unique which can be made available to an audience. To strengthen my point, I will draw an analogy between a photographer and DJ. I believe that if photography is a form of art, then so is DJ'ing.

So, what does a DJ actually do?

At its most basic level a DJ selects a range of musical pieces and plays them to an audience. The primary goal is to make people dance. But is this art? Surely an iPod on random shuffle can do this. We wouldn't want to call an iPod artistic--especially if it is random. Of course, this is a naive view. An iPod on random shuffle cannot keep people dancing. Occasionally it might play an agreeable song, which some people will dance to. But that is just blind chance. Its pure luck. An iPod is not an artist.

So what does a DJ do that an ipod does not do? There are two important aspects to DJ'ing. First, there is the process of mixing. Second is song selection.

1. MixingA good DJ will blend songs together in order to create a suite of music in which the audience is unaware of the transitions between tracks. Not only does this keep a dance floor energy on a constant flow, it can also sound very good when elements between two songs interact. Mixing is a technical skill that many people can learn. It is important, because it gels the music together, but ultimately it is a mechanical process and therefore not artistic in itself.

2. Song selectionThe most fundamental aspect of DJing is song selection. A DJ selects a range of tracks that mix nicely together in order to create a "mixset" (sometimes simply referred to as a mix). When a DJ does his job well, not only will the set be seemless, it will also take people on a musical journey which is almost symphonic in structure. The set will start in a certain place and take people through highs and lows, light and shade, through major and minor keys. This is not done randomly. It is done by carefully considering the mood of the people on the dance floor while also considering which songs mix well together. DJ sets often build up to a peak in energy before gradually coming back to the same level at which they started. Other DJ sets can start off subtle and continue to build people up, increasing the energy and excitement to a crescendo before rapidly dropping back down. Sometimes a DJ will end his set at the crescendo.

The important feature of the DJ mixset is the journey that it takes its audience on. And it doesn't have to be live. A DJ can mix a set on radio or in a studio which will take its audience on just as powerful a journey--though this is more difficult because most mixsets are constructed in reaction to the audience.

So, how is this art?

Well, it is art insofar as the mixset is a unique suite of music, which can be considered as a complete unit. It is built out of a range of separate tracks that the DJ has consciously chosen to include in the greater whole. It is not a random selection. The DJ has chosen the tracks for a reason--to generate emotions and feelings. Furthermore, this is not something that anyone can do. DJs are like music filters. There are thousands of tracks released every year, and the DJ has to filter through them and decide what is good, and what is not good. The DJ has to decide what to put into his set for people to hear.

But is this art or just musical taste?

It is art in the same way that photography is art. Consider a photographer. She will go in search of scenes that she believes have certain qualities. Often the scene a photographer finds can look quite ordinary to other people. In fact, many people might walk by without noticing. The photographer sees something unique and beautiful in the scene and uses her technical skill with the camera to bring out its best qualities. The resulting picture is then made available to an audience. The same is true for a DJ. The DJ finds music that he considers to have certain qualities. The DJ then uses his technical skill to blend his chosen music together in a way which brings out the true beauty of the individual pieces. In this way the DJ is like a photographer. If a photographer is an artist, then so is the DJ.

Conclusion

My goal in this article has been to show that a DJ is an artist, and the mixsets he produces are a form of art. There is more to DJ'ing than the mechanical act of mixing. Good DJ mixes do not consist of random song choices. There is an artistic process at work. Just as a photographer picks scenes that already exist and packages them in a way that makes them appealing to an audience. A DJ picks music that already exists and packages it in a way that makes it appealing to an audience.

1. Photo booths are a great time filler!

Although you and the rest of the wedding party may be having a wonderful time getting pictures done after the ceremony, your guests at the reception site will be anxiously awaiting your arrival to get the party started.

A photo booth gives your family and friends something to do before the official start of the reception and is an excellent activity to prevent pre-reception boredom. It will also help you and your groom relax and not feel as if you need to rush through pictures just to hurry up and get back to your guests.

2. Photo booth prints make for terrific wedding favors!

While there are still some brides who want to provide their guests with fancy chocolates and hand-crafted candles with the perfectly-scripted initials of the wedding couple written on them, more and more wedding receptions are moving away from the traditional wedding favors seen in weddings in the past.

By incorporating a photo booth in your wedding, you give guests the opportunity not only to have fun having their picture taken, but to also have a souvenir to take with them at the end of the night.

3. Photo booths give guests the opportunity to loosen up and have fun!

At some point during the night, some of your guests may need a break from the “Cha Cha Slide” and catching bridal bouquets and will be looking for a different pastime to entertain them. Photo booths allow everyone from your adorable four year-old nephew to your kooky great-aunt (who you are amazed is still up after 9 PM!) to get together and join in the fun. No matter how prim and proper you may be, it’s extremely difficult to remain serious when you’ve got a sombrero and a pink boa on!

It’s always nice to provide your guests with various activities throughout the night to mix things up!

Contact us today to see how Encore can give you and your guests unforgettable memories.

The dance between a father and his daughter on her wedding day always is a heartfelt, symbolic moment on the big day – it’s the last time that your dad will get to dance with you as his “little girl,” and it’s a special few minutes that you get to spend solely with the man that raised you and ultimately got you ready for this moment.

That being said, you may be thinking that the pressure is on to pick the perfect father daughter dance song. Do you go with a classic? Country? Do you want to attempt to be the newest YouTube sensation with a choreographed number?

You do, however, want to choose a song that best reflects the relationship that you have with your dad, as well as one that compliments both your personalities. Perhaps you and your dad have a special song from your childhood or maybe there’s a specific genre of music that you both love and always have bonded over. You can’t go wrong with keeping it classic and sentimental.

Here are a few of my picks from various genres to help get you inspired in picking your father daughter dance song.

OLDIES

Choosing a song from the oldies genre typically is a safe bet; most of the songs from these eras are crowd pleasers and easy to dance to.

“You Can Close Your Eyes” by James Taylor

“Child of Mine” by Carol King

“In My Life” by The Beatles

“Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon

"What a Wonderful World" by Louie Armstrong

COUNTRY

Country is one of the most popular genres of music today, which makes it a popular choice for this dance since most country songs tell a story.

“I Loved Her First” by Heartland

“Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney

“My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw

“Stealing Cinderella” by Chuck Wicks

POP AND ALTERNATIVE

Last but not least, it never hurts to go with a song that you hear on the radio or that has been popular in recent years. Just make sure that your dad is familiar with it first!

Again, don’t stress too much about picking the perfect song for this moment – it should be one that only you and your dad ultimately will remember. Be sure to include him in the process, and hopefully you can make it fun by sharing ideas for songs back and forth!

Planning your Myrtle Beach wedding is much like putting together the pieces of an extremely complicated puzzle. While it might be intimidating in the beginning stages, you'll find that the overall picture becomes much clearer as you progress through the stages. Planning an event of this stature isn't something that should be taken lightly, and this is why pressure builds as the day gets closer. While there are numerous wedding vendors to research and reach out to, transportation is among of the first details you should plan on settling along with the venue. We're here with some tips on how to ensure your wedding transportation is all you need it to be, and more!

The most telling thing you can do when it comes to sifting the good from the bad in transportation services is to try scheduling an in person visit with the potential companies you're looking at. We've all heard horror stories of unsightly vehicles showing up to the pick up destination, damaged and unclean interiors making an impact on comfort levels, or in the worst case...no vehicle showing up at all. Talking to companies in person and viewing their unique vehicle selection will do wonders in putting you ahead of the game as far as wedding transportation is concerned.

When you're visiting a garage or office of a local transportation company, be sure to inquire about the details of their contract. This is important because it gives both parties a clear understanding of what is expected, and is a point of reference if any questions arise in the future. You'll want to be sure you understand the terms of damages and any other extra fees that might appear such as tip or gas to ensure a completely smooth transition from your ceremony to reception.

Keeping these tips in mind will surely lead you to the most transparent and trustworthy Myrtle Beach Party Buses. Not only will your wedding run more smoothly, but you'll also be as comfortable as possible throughout one of the most important days of your life.

1. Is this your full-time business? Are weddings your primary focus? What corporate clients have you performed for in addition to weddings?

Determine whether they are a well-rounded, successful entertainer who can bring a level of expertise and versatility to your event. "You want to ensure that your DJ isn't a one-dimensional part-timer, but a true performer whose had varied and extensive experience performing in front of different (and tough) audiences. It's fine if your prospective DJ mainly focuses on weddings—Encore performs at well over 100 per year—as long as they squeeze in some time for other types of parties as well.

2. How do you customize the music experience for each event? Can you help with song lists and providing suggestions?

Find a DJ who will create a soundtrack for your wedding or event that is based on your style, taste, and vision for that day. "One size does not fit all—if your desire is to have a conga line at your wedding, then you will need to deliver that and anything else you want, for that matter.

A skilled DJ will gladly accept your must-play and do-not-play lists, no matter how short or long.

"All of this can only be achieved with an entertainer who is flexible and willing to listen. It's easy to come up with lists of songs to play—determining the placement of the music (e.g. cake-cutting and bouquet toss) and how it fits into unique themes is the real challenge.

4. How do you handle song requests?

"There could be instances where the client directives are diametrically opposed to the guest requests. How a DJ strikes a balance to deliver on the couple's desires—while still satisfying the guests' requests—determines the skill and experience of the DJ.

6. What sound equipment do you utilize? Do you have back-up equipment?

DJ equipment is just as important as musical instruments. "A Digital controller allows the DJ to have hands-on control of the music and the ability to manipulate it instantly. A simple touch can change the sound, speed, and tone.

We operate our equipment without overdriving it, which is when guests start to complain about it being too loud (sometimes referred to as 'muffled' sound). When Encore performs at a wedding, you will hear every word, nice and crisp, at a moderate level; I guarantee guests will still be able to talk at their tables while others are showing off their latest moves on the dance floor.

Backup equipment is also essential: DJs should always have the equivalent of a "flat spare" on hand, whether it be a microphone, computer, mixer, etc. Don't forget to ask how soon before the reception they plan to arrive and how long it will take for them to set up.

7. Have you played at our chosen wedding venue before? If not, can you make a site visit beforehand?

The sound varies drastically depending on the room where your reception will be held. Don't underestimate the importance of a site visit: Encore recommends that brides ask prospective DJs if they can set up appointments to visit such locations. "This allows us to become acquainted with new staff members, learn their rules for vendors, and plan correctly for providing the correct equipment for acoustics and lighting design. At the same time, we offer to provide these establishments with insurance certificates and updated company information. With these steps, they know we mean business.

Some DJ packages come with extra services such as up lighting and photo booths. "Next to lighting, photo booths are our most requested option.

10. Why should I choose you as my DJ?

As a leading professional in the industry, Encore has the experience and the knowledge to deliver an outstanding performance at every event. Each event is different with the client who books us to the guests that attend. Each individual has his or her own music taste and Encore pride ourselves on knowing how to mix a variety of music and making it sound good.

I started my career as a roadie, loading, setting up and tearing down equipment for events. I worked for a company called Muzic Fuzion right out of high school. After a year of being a roadie, I became a DJ, mostly playing music for school dances. I then advanced into djing wedding receptions and I knew this is what I wanted to do for life. After working for Muzic Fuzion for 3 years and also working at Dick Clark's American Bandstand, I started my own company called Encore Entertainment. I thought, becoming a DJ in Columbus Ohio should not be hard to do. There were plenty of wedding venues and party houses to build a business. I was blessed to first get in with Franklin Park Conservatory my first year. They really pushed my business into the next level. I was then able to buy a 2nd system hire a 2nd DJ and It just kept growing from there. I partnered with other venues, bought more equipment and hired more DJs. I had turned my single operation company into a multi-op company. We specialized in wedding receptions but performed for many different events.

Photo booths came out in about 2006 and I jumped on that bandwagon as soon as possible. I was the third company in Columbus to have a photo booth and that grew from day 1. Photo Booths have progressed from 11 years ago and is now unbelievable what you can do with a computer, camera and software.

As I continue to grow and expand, hiccups have come along the way from bad people working for me to personal family health issues. But God has been good and has blessed me, my business and my family. I thank Him everyday! I'm coming into my 18th year of being in business and I want to say thank you to all our past clients, upcoming clients, the venues and vendors we work with and of course my team of DJ's, photo booth attendants and videographers. I look forward to the upcoming years of and I pray God blesses us all.